Waymo, the Google/Alphabet-subsidiary for self-driving cars, has been testing and developing its technology for year. With five million kilometers (more than 3 million miles) the company is far ahead of any competitor. But so far the tests were done in climate zones that are very friendly for humans and technology.
Starting a few days ago the technology is now undergoing its ultimate death test. With rides through the Death Valley Waymo wants to push the borders. The name isn’t by accident. Temperatures of up to 57 degrees Celsius (134 Fahrenheit) have been measured. But the tests don’t stop there: Las Vegas is the next one. Can robot cars refrain from gambling or are they betting all their money and return home naked, stripped of all their sensors?
This article has also been published in German.
